Mount Pico

Mount Pico is a majestic volcano, dominating Pico and the neighbouring islands of Faial and S. Jorge. With an altitude of 2,351 metres, it is easily the highest mountain of the Azores and Portugal.
At its summit is Pico Alto, a round crater with a perimeter of about 700 metres and a depth that reaches 30 metres. At the extremity of the crater lies the volcanic cone Piquinho or Pico Pequeno (small Pico) with the height of 70 metres, which constitutes the summit of the mountain.

Fumaroles and hot springs are the last active signs of the volcano, which erupted for the first time about 40,000 years ago and formed the second and younger half of the island. The previous volcanoes that formed the older part of the island are now completely dead. Although still fuming, Pico has not erupted in modern history. In fact, the last volcanic eruption that occurred on the island was in 1720.

Mount Pico is one of the most prominent natural sites of the Azores Archipelago. The number of people willing to scale its slopes to reach the summit has been increasing steadily in spite of the fact that it is quite an arduous climb that should be undertaken only with a help of a trained guide. The ascent appeals to any who love nature and adventure.
But climbing the mountain is worth any effort because the views from the top of Pico Pequeno are unparalleled, especially when you can watch the sun rising from behind S. Jorge and projecting the shadow of Mount Pico on the other side of the ocean. Those wishing to watch the sun rise should go up the day before and stay overnight in one of the many grottoes or caverns of Pico Alto. Local government is planning to build a mountain house on the way to the top to provide climbers with necessary support and guidance.

From the summit you can see Faial, S. Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa, which together with Pico comprise the central group of islands of the Azores. On the top of Pico everyone feels a bit like the owner of the world!